Leesburg Municipal

Leesburg Municipal Airport is vital to the success of Lake County's economy. The airport is the first stop for private planes and corporate jets bearing potential new businesses, industries and residents. But there is no group overseeing the airport and working to improve its facilities. That is why Leesburg city commissioners are right in considering an airport advisory board.They should appoint one immediately.The advisory board under consideration could help make Lake County's biggest airport a first-class operation and a major tool in broadening the local economy.

The Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra will send its Primary Orchestra to entertain the crowds at Lake Eola on Saturday.The group will perform as a part of Central Florida's ``Commitment to Youth'' festival, which is from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the downtown park. The youth orchestra's performance will be at 10:30 a.m.There will be information booths on services to help raise a healthy child at the festival.Information will be available on healthy starts, safe places to learn and grow, family relationships, friends and mentors, marketable skills through effective education and opportunities to give back through community service.

The state Department of Transportation's ''preliminary consideration'' to build four new airports in Central Florida is like a slap in the face to Leesburg Municipal Airport, Assistant City Manager Greg Beliveau said Tuesday. ''Why would you want to build four new airports -- especially two of them -- when you have three in the area already?'' said Beliveau, a member of the East Central Florida Regional Planning Council steering committee that is studying aviation needs in Central Florida.

Jambalaya, gumbo and crawfish will top the menu. Skydiving demonstrations, Cajun music, airplane rides and a visit from Siren, a cast member of American Gladiators will fill the afternoon.It's all part of the Cajun Jamboree, set for noon to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Leesburg Municipal Airport.Proceeds from the event will benefit Joining Hands Inc. of Florida, a nonprofit Leesburg organization dedicated to helping people with extraordinary health problems, spokeswoman Mary Joyce said.Admission is $2 for 6- to 12-year-olds and $5 for adults.

County and Leesburg officials have been making the right moves lately to upgrade Leesburg Municipal Airport, but the work is far from over.Still needed is at least one runway in excess of 5,000 feet and a sophisticated instrument guidance system that will allow planes to land in inclement weather.Why? So corporate and commuter jets can land safely -- and legally -- at the only airstrip that can accommodate them in Lake County. As it stands now, Leesburg Municipal Airport's major runway can handle smaller jets, but it falls just under the length requirements set by many insurance carriers.

A preliminary state study says Central Florida needs four new airports to reduce congestion at airports in Orlando, Daytona Beach, Sanford and along the Space Coast.The problem is that the study by the Department of Transportation ignores the idea of expanding existing airports. One good place for that expansion is Leesburg Municipal Airport, which could be enlarged more cheaply than buying up millions of dollars of land for a new airport. State and local officials need to look at what Leesburg can offer:It is in an area that can alleviate air traffic congestion at Sanford and Orlando Executive airports.

Jambalaya, gumbo and crawfish will top the menu. Skydiving demonstrations, Cajun music, airplane rides and a visit from Siren, a cast member of American Gladiators will fill the afternoon.It's all part of the Cajun Jamboree, set for noon to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Leesburg Municipal Airport.Proceeds from the event will benefit Joining Hands Inc. of Florida, a nonprofit Leesburg organization dedicated to helping people with extraordinary health problems, spokeswoman Mary Joyce said.Admission is $2 for 6- to 12-year-olds and $5 for adults.

A more than $2.5 million land purchase that would mark the first time Lake-Sumter Community College buys property for growth is being considered by college trustees.If trustees approve the contracts tonight the college would buy 35 acres along the college's eastern border. The acquisition would put Lake-Sumter slightly above the state guideline of 100 acres for community colleges.The 28-year-old college has been housed on a 70-acre campus since 1986. That's when an out-of-court settlement required that the trustees give Leesburg 40 acres on the western side of the college.

By Adam Yeomans and Anita Hardin of The Sentinel Staff, September 14, 1986

The Leesburg Board of Realtors will hold a general membership meeting at noon Sept. 25 at Squires' III Supper Club and Lounge. Tom Newman of Thomas A. Newman & Associates will discuss the new federal income tax law. Reservations must be made by Sept. 22. Cost is $5.50.AIRFIELD ZONINGFLORIDA FLYING Gators plans to build an airfield and support facilities for ultra-light aircraft activities in south Lake County. The ultra-light group is seeking to have 20 acres rezoned southeast of State Road 19 north of Clermont.

For five bucks, it's a bargain. Heck, it's a steal.The Lake County World War II Commemorative Committee is selling a keepsake publication jam-packed with more than 1,000 names of wartime inductees and veterans, plus 100 photos, some never before published.Most of the photos are of Lake County residents or retirees who actively participated in World War II, including a picture of the nose art of William Gregg's B-17 Flying Fortress, ''Roundtrip Ticket II.''There is also a personal greeting to Lake County from retired Army Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf.

The much anticipated arrival of the special edition of the Lake County World War II commemorative calendar is here. They are off the presses and on sale at a number of locations around the county.The keepsake calendar is packed with more than 1,000 names of wartime inductees and veterans, plus 100 photos, including some never before published. It is selling for a minimum donation of $5 apiece.Most of the photos on the cover are from a rare wartime collection never before published, including a picture of Leesburg veteran William Gregg's B-17 Flying Fortress nose art, ''Roundtrip Ticket II.''Other photos on the cover were donated by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8087.

A more than $2.5 million land purchase that would mark the first time Lake-Sumter Community College buys property for growth is being considered by college trustees.If trustees approve the contracts tonight the college would buy 35 acres along the college's eastern border. The acquisition would put Lake-Sumter slightly above the state guideline of 100 acres for community colleges.The 28-year-old college has been housed on a 70-acre campus since 1986. That's when an out-of-court settlement required that the trustees give Leesburg 40 acres on the western side of the college.

Nearly $6 million in state money may be pumped into Leesburg Municipal Airport during the next five years for a runway extension and other improvements.A tentative five-year spending plan by the state Department of Transportation allocates $5.9 million to Lake County's largest airport. The spending package must be approved by state legislators.Consultants are drafting recommendations for the airport's master plan, a blueprint for growth. One of those recommendations, to be released by year's end, will call for extending the airport's 5,000-foot runway to 6,000 feet, said Dick Williams, Leesburg assistant city manager.

Mike Connor never throws away a part. To Connor, what today is seemingly a worthless steel trinket might some day come in handy.Parts aren't always easy to come by for Connor, who repairs antique airplane engines built between the early 1900s and 1950s.''I can remember throwing parts away that I would love to have today,'' said Connor, who is well known as an antique-engine repair specialist. ''Parts are hard to come by since they quit making the engines. When the stock is gone, it's gone forever.

For five bucks, it's a bargain. Heck, it's a steal.The Lake County World War II Commemorative Committee is selling a keepsake publication jam-packed with more than 1,000 names of wartime inductees and veterans, plus 100 photos, some never before published.Most of the photos are of Lake County residents or retirees who actively participated in World War II, including a picture of the nose art of William Gregg's B-17 Flying Fortress, ''Roundtrip Ticket II.''There is also a personal greeting to Lake County from retired Army Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf.

Mike Connor never throws away a part. To Connor, what today is seemingly a worthless steel trinket might some day come in handy.Parts aren't always easy to come by for Connor, who repairs antique airplane engines built between the early 1900s and 1950s.''I can remember throwing parts away that I would love to have today,'' said Connor, who is well known as an antique-engine repair specialist. ''Parts are hard to come by since they quit making the engines. When the stock is gone, it's gone forever.